Today was our last full day in camp. I woke up, as I normally did, at 5:00 AM, but since I had decided I was done hunting, I slept in until 7:15 AM. A lazy morning in camp is another rare jewel on safari and another one to be treasured. As I loafed, I debated on a quick trip to the lodge before I changed out of my sleepwear (no one in camp really cares) to get a cup of coffee to start my day, but, instead, I decided to bite the bullet and dress for the day before I headed up. Little brother, on the other hand, had decided to go hunting. Johann needed leopard bait and Doug had decided he was up for the task. I was glad he was enjoying himself and hoping that perhaps Africa has gotten just maybe a little under his skin. Am I perhaps a little evil to wish such a fate on a family member? Perhaps, but then again I suffer from that affliction and somehow seem to have coped so far.
I made it to the lodge a little before 8:00 and found lots of hot coffee waiting. I poured a cup and headed back down to the sitting area for some more quiet time. Johann and Ilouwna were busy with admin items and wouldn’t take notice of my absence. The briskness of the morning was in contrast to the heat from the coffee and they both complimented the peace and quiet of the morning. Having completed my hunting wish list for this trip, a final quiet morning in camp is both desired and welcome. The last 14 days had been a whirlwind of activity and the chance for quiet contemplation this morning provided would not go unused. Even though I keep a journal, taking the time to ingrain the sights, smells and sounds of the safari is a must. This morning I noticed the small waterfall at the decorative pond for the first time. The pump runs long enough to circulate and refresh the water but in an effort to thwart evaporation and water loss only long enough to do just that. I have always been in the veld when it was running and never noticed the flurry of activity it created. Hundreds of song birds of all sizes were bathing in the pool at the top of the falls. Watching them dart in and out of the water, splashing and playing as they went was entertaining and mesmerizing. If I had not been sitting there, still and observant, I would have missed it.
After the pump cut off and the activity died down, I found myself some breakfast and ate while completing some admin of my own. I transferred to, and sorted pictures on my tablet. The Wi-Fi signal was plenty strong this morning so I checked email and get generally caught up with the outside world. Sitting there catching up, I decided it was nice to be somewhere that required catching up. Being away from the outside world is a nice place to be. I finished catching up and was making good headway on an outline for an article about hunting and conservation when Johann asked if I wanted to go the skinning shed to measure trophies. I don’t even get the chance to answer him before the radio squawks that Doug has another animal down.
